One stepped away from Hollywood for years, while the other faced the pressures of teen stardom head-on. Here’s a look at where they are now and how their careers — and lives — have evolved.

Hollywood has long been a breeding ground for talented child stars, but few have captivated audiences quite like this brother-sister duo. Born in Los Angeles, California, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, these siblings seemed destined for stardom from an early age.

With their natural charisma, striking performances, and undeniable talent, they quickly became two of the most recognizable young actors of their generation.

The older sibling, a boy with a talent far beyond his years, made his first screen appearances in the mid-1990s. By the time he was just 11 years old, he had already become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood.

His breakout role came in the chilling supernatural thriller “The Sixth Sense,” which cemented the young star’s place in cinematic history, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor — making him the first millennial male to ever receive an Oscar nomination for acting.

His performance, defined by an emotional depth rare in child actors, left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. Following his Oscar-nominated turn, he continued to star in high-profile projects.

This included “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” a sci-fi drama directed by Steven Spielberg, “Secondhand Lions,” a heartfelt coming-of-age movie opposite Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, and “The Polar Express,” where he provided multiple voices, including the main character, Hero Boy.

The young actor’s ability to convey raw emotion and vulnerability on screen led many to hail him as one of the best young actors of his generation. However, as he transitioned into adulthood, his career took a different path.

In 2011, he stepped away from Hollywood, leaving fans to wonder what had happened to the once-prominent child star.

His younger sister followed in his footsteps, breaking into the industry at a young age. She quickly made a name for herself in family-friendly television and film, starring in a mix of comedy and drama.

By the mid-2000s, she had landed a major role in the wildly popular Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana,” playing the witty and loyal best friend to a pop star protagonist.

The show became a cultural phenomenon, launching her into teen stardom. She continued to build a successful career with lead roles in television movies, voice acting gigs, and later, starring in her own sitcom.

Both siblings became household names during the 2000s, their faces gracing movie posters, magazine covers, and television screens across the world.

After years in the spotlight, Haley Joel Osment and Emily Osment each took unexpected turns that led them down very different paths. But where are these siblings now?

Haley Osment – A Return on His Own Terms

Following years in the spotlight, Haley stepped away from Hollywood to focus on his education. He enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, a decision he always knew he would make.

“Going away to study was not a tough decision, because I always knew I wanted to go to college,” he shared. “With my mom being a sixth-grade teacher, I was definitely going to college. Skipping it was out of the question.”

During his time at NYU, he explored different aspects of acting, performing in theater and taking on smaller projects. He appeared in an indie film and even took a role on Broadway, though it was short-lived.

Despite stepping away from the industry for a time, he was always planning to return. “I was always ready to go back to doing it. I loved living in NYC and enjoyed doing theater,” he said.

However, his agent urged him to move back to Los Angeles, making it easier to land roles. By 2013, he began taking on more screen work, including roles in “The Spoils of Babylon,” “Alpha House,” and “Entourage.”

Although his path through adolescence was largely free of controversy, he did face a setback in 2006 when he was involved in a car accident while driving under the influence.

He was fined, sentenced to rehabilitation, and placed on probation for three years. Reflecting on the incident, he called it a “terrible mistake” of an arrogant teenager, emphasizing that it had nothing to do with Hollywood.

Despite the public’s fixation on child stars experiencing dramatic falls from grace, Haley pushed back against the stereotype. “[…] I think the percentage of people having a positive experience working as children is much higher than most people imagine,” he said.

Following his return to Hollywood, the former child star deliberately took on a mix of roles, many of which clashed with his once-wholesome image. He played an obnoxious millionaire in “Entourage,” a Nazi in Kevin Smith’s “Yoga Hosers,” and an awkward teacher in “Sex Ed.”

“That was definitely a very fun period of playing a lot of bad guys,” he said, admitting that it may have been a subconscious effort to move away from his childhood persona.

At one point, he even grew a beard in an attempt to blend in more. “That didn’t really work at all,” he laughed.

Despite his years in New York, the actor ultimately made his way back to Los Angeles. “I remember being very happy to not be making my home in Los Angeles at that time,” he recalled.

But he acknowledged that the city has changed, especially when it comes to the intense paparazzi culture of his youth. “We’re in a different era than we were,” he said.

The actor also credited social media for shifting the narrative, saying, content that’s “willingly posted online” made things easier.

Through it all, he has maintained a strong foundation, thanks in part to his parents. “My parents used to say when I first started out in this industry, ‘If it’s ever not fun, you can quit tomorrow,'” he shared.

“And when I got to be college age, I got to go off and study theater and really think hard about whether I wanted to do this as my career in life,” he added.

His answer, even after more than two decades in the business? “It’s still a job that I really enjoy, despite all the uncertainty and the difficulty of being able to plan your life three to six months out.”

Haley has received mixed reactions since returning to acting, with one social media user commenting, “Odd looking chap. His head grew but his eyes didn’t. Brilliant actor, however. His films are stellar.”

Another shared, “The truth is: He was a cute kid but turned into an awkwardly looking teenager and man. There, I said it,” while another typed in part, “[…] He no longer is adorably cute [sic].”

A fourth person wrote, “Good actor, but not exactly the Hollywood heartthrob looks, I am sure his looks have limited him, so cute as a little boy but now not so much!!!”

However, another social media user shared, “He is so dang cute omg.” Another wrote, “Haley. Those colors are beautiful on you🔥,” while a third commented, “You’re so awesome.”

Emily Osment – Navigating Fame and Finding Happiness

While Haley experienced early Hollywood success, Emily’s rise to stardom came with its own set of challenges. She gained widespread recognition as Lilly Truscott on “Hannah Montana,” a role that made her a household name among young audiences.

However, the pressures of starring in such an iconic series took a toll on her. “I was on the biggest children’s show in the world for five years and trying to go to a normal high school — it was a disaster,” Emily recalled.

Unlike her brother, she had little choice but to embrace social media early on, which made maintaining privacy even more difficult. “That show was squarely aimed towards creating a mania in that age group,” Haley explained.

“She had to deal with a lot more strange invasions of privacy, not being able to have a normal school life. And what exacerbated all of that was she had to be on social media. I resisted until I was, like, 27,” he added.

Despite the difficulties, Emily continued to build a successful career, carving out her own identity beyond her Disney Channel roots. Haley was always supportive but knew she didn’t need much guidance.

“We definitely have tried to help each other as much as we can,” he said. “She didn’t need too much advice from me. She forged her own path, and her comedy career has been pretty incredible.”

Their close bond as siblings was strengthened by their parents’ “skeptical” approach to Hollywood, which helped them stay grounded despite the pressures of fame.

Both Haley and Emily credited their upbringing for allowing them to transition into adult careers without falling into the traps that have plagued many former child stars.

On a personal note, Emily found happiness outside of her career. In June 2023, she announced her engagement to Jack Anthony during a trip to Yosemite National Park.

A year later, in May 2024, she shared her excitement about planning her wedding. By October of that year, she revealed that she and Jack had officially tied the knot.

The actress has also received praise for her beauty at 32, with one social media user sharing, “Stunning.” “Stunning, as always. 🙂,” another commented while a third wrote, “You look beautiful.” A fourth added, “Your [sic] sooo pretty.”

From childhood fame to navigating Hollywood’s pressures, Haley Joel Osment and Emily Osment have successfully carved out their own paths.

Though their journeys took them in different directions, their bond as siblings and actors remains strong, proving that life after child stardom can be both fulfilling and enduring.